Finally, some pictures!

[bonedoctor]

Here are some long-awaited pictures of my 4Runner. I shot film, had to have them developed, then scanned, then fiddle around with the size, then figure out how to post them. If only I hadn't spent all my money on that JAOS stuff, I'd have a digital camera and life would be easier.

This one's a kind of "before and after" shot. The bottom is the original and the top is with the JDM replica head lights, the front hood protector, and the JAOS light stay and Challenger lamps. Interesting how the different light makes the GG color appear different (looks very dark metallic gray in sunlight vs a "slatey" gray in overcast flat light). I've heard others mention how the galactic gray color even sometimes has a pinkish tinge to it, then looks very different at other times. The "after" pictures were shot Christmas morning with the sun coming up. Those are the Elk Mountains in the background.

The background of the "before" picture is Red Mountain on the north side of Aspen. There are plenty of homes up there that are $5-10 million+. Needless to say, that ain't where I live!

 

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The top picture is a sort of "in-between" shot. I had installed the JDM replica head lights and the hood protector, but didn't have the JAOS stuff yet. The bottom shows the front end with everything installed.

 

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Everything installed, Christmas morning. Elk Mountains in background.

 

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A different vantage. Still Christmas, still very cold.

 

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Can you read the sign to the right in the bottom pic? Better get movin'!

 

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A few more.......

High above Aspen on Red Mountain. That's the ski mountain in the background and the town below. The depth perception is a little deceiving. I'm actually quite a bit above the town. The size of the mountain makes it look small.

That's my Yamaha FZ1 doing a little dirt road action. Who says you can't off-road with a street bike? That's Snowmass ski mountain in the background during Fall.

 

[bonedoctor]

More pics

Not a 4Runner, but definitely an off-road (literally) vehicle. Why it was sitting all alone in a field I'll never know. Even had Minnesota license plates. I like to shoot derelict things (old cars, buildings, barns, windmills, etc) and wanted to get some more shots, but apparently a new owner towed it out of the field. It'd make a cool restoration project--looked like it was all there.

 

[bonedoctor]

One more

Looks kinda lonely....

Anybody know what make and model, year this is?

 

[bonedoctor]

Last one

Last one....

 

[Falls]

Damn nice shot's bud !! Beautiful country .....

I love the color of your 4R , that's the color I want.

Are running stock size tire's ? And plan's on switching to a different brand or size ??

 

[bonedoctor]

Damn nice shot's bud !! Beautiful country .....

I love the color of your 4R , that's the color I want.

Are running stock size tire's ? And plan's on switching to a different brand or size ??

No, I've got the stock Dunlops. They seem to work okay for me, although I get the feeling from other posts that they aren't the greatest tires ("Dunflops"). We get a lot of snow and I haven't noticed any problems. The traction control system comes on every now and then when they lose grip. I'll probably stay with them until they need to be replaced. They're fairly quiet on dry pavement. Had them rotated today for the first time at 10K--Big O tires did it for free! Considering how expensive everything is here, that was a real surprise.

The galactic gray color is pretty sweet. Doesn't show dirt too much. Looks different depending on the light. I've seen quite a few GG 4Runners out here. The most popular SUV in Aspen seems to be any sort of Range Rover (show off your wealth), followed by Audi Allroads, then probably Toyota Land Cruisers and 4Runners. I almost bought the Dorado Gold, but then saw the GG.

 

[atomic punk]

That JAOS light stay looks awesome on your 4R. I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive. Did you look into finding a less expensive one? I'm curious if someone else makes one for less.

I mean, what am I missing here.... isn't it just a light bar for the front end??? Over 300 f'n dollars for that?

 

[Whoknows]

photos

Awesome photos. I wish I could take my ride up the mountains whenever I wanted! I'm dying to see how it handles in the snow.

BTW, your 4r looks great. I really like the way the mods have changed the look -- very nice and the GG is a great color for the JDM lights.

 

[bonedoctor]

That JAOS light stay looks awesome on your 4R. I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive. Did you look into finding a less expensive one? I'm curious if someone else makes one for less.

I mean, what am I missing here.... isn't it just a light bar for the front end??? Over 300 f'n dollars for that?

Yeah, it's certainly overpriced for what amounts to a stainless steel tube. I did consider some others (low bull bar, etc.), but kinda liked the minimalist, "something different" appearance of the lamp stay combined with a sturdy place to mount lights. I didn't really care for the ones that are huge, cover the grill and headlights. I bought the lights and stay together for the fit and finish--but they were definitely a splurge. I haven't seen anything else like it for less--they'd probably sell great. JAOS seems to be the only one making the lamp stay.

 

[bonedoctor]

Re: photos

Awesome photos. I wish I could take my ride up the mountains whenever I wanted! I'm dying to see how it handles in the snow.

BTW, your 4r looks great. I really like the way the mods have changed the look -- very nice and the GG is a great color for the JDM lights.

Thanks for the compliments. I had my heart set on a Dorado Gold 4Runner, but when I went to the dealer, it'd been sold. The sales guys said they had something else on the showroom floor and it was the GG Limited with NAV--said they hadn't had that combo before at that dealership. I'm really happy with the color. I'm beginning to see more and more 4Runners here in Aspen. Maybe they're figuring out that the 4Runner is as nice, more reliable, and a lot less expensive than the very popular Range Rover HSEs and Sports.

 

[bigacuralvr]

Put the pic of the milk truck into black and white, it would look amazing! I'll be up in Aspen for the X-Games...perhaps I'll see you around. I have a 99 Limited with the Scoop. Its the champagne/silver color.
Brett

 

[bonedoctor]

Yeah, black and white makes even boring pictures looks awesome since your eyes focus on the contrast only without distracting colors. Unfortunately I don't have Photoshop currently--it's easy to desaturate the picture. I wanted to go back and shoot some pictures from a distance, spread out the horizon, then crop the top and bottom to fool the eye even more into thinking the horizon is longer, but it was being pulled out of the field when I arrived. All I had for the current pictures was a super basic photo editor (pretty much only did crop, and some auto color and contrast settings).

Although it's a motorcycle site, check out Pashnit.com. I've learned a lot of photography techniques from that site and they're plenty applicable to shooting the 4Runner. Speaking of B&W, I shot several rolls last year along California 1 aboard a rented Harley. My trusty old Nikon 8008 had a light leak and fogged the top of some of the images. When I desaturated them and cropped the top and bottom, it gave an eerie vintage look to the photos. I'd love to try that with the GG 4Runner against a snowy background. Think I'm gonna go digital--Nikon just came out with the D200, a 10.3 MP camera. Runs about $1500-1600.

 

[Jason B]

Re: More pics

Can you read the sign to the right in the bottom pic? Better get movin'!

Love those two pics!!!

Yea, the Jaos is expensive, even at MY COST! I try to sell Jaos less than anyone else, but it's darn expensive even at dealer cost. Imported from Japan, and is like Rolex.

 

[OfficerRex]

Are the JDM replica headlights easy to install into a 05, SE, they look great on your truck ?


Also are were do you get them ?

Great Post !!!

 

[bonedoctor]

Are the JDM replica headlights easy to install into a 05, SE, they look great on your truck ?


Also are were do you get them ?

Great Post !!!

Pretty easy to install. There's one screw that's down by the wheel well that is difficult to get to. I didn't bother to put it back in after installing the JDM replica headlights. The other's are easy--after you figure out how to loosen the trim piece across the top front of the bumper. Some people recommend taking the whole bumper off, but you can loosen the clips and lift up the ends to get at the concealed screws.

I think this thread was about putting in the headlights:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=115904#post115904

Got them from Burtman Industries. They fit like the originals. You'll have to fiddle with the aiming however, since I think they're a JDM pattern (drive on opposite of road). There are little screws that you turn, takes a lot of turns and fiddling to get them aim for the US roads.